Home Office investigator Craig Hobbs, from Immigration Enforcement Criminal Investigations, added: 'This was a brazen attempt to trample over the marriage and immigration laws. Hanif and Aslam and Mankos and Gerychova were in genuine relationships together, but thought nothing of fraudulently marrying people who were essentially complete strangers.

'Foreign nationals who believe a sham wedding is their route to staying in the UK should think again. Whether you are a participant or an organiser, you will face the consequences.'